Internal Crises Threaten to Postpone Iraqi Elections
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi listens during a meeting with then-US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, US, August 20, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
Internal Crises Threaten to Postpone Iraqi Elections
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi listens during a meeting with then-US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, US, August 20, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
After all recent attempts to persuade the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, to go back on his decision to boycott the elections, supporters and opponents alike realize that holding elections without the Shiite figure could drag the country into an unknown fate.
Despite daily statements by the Electoral Commission about completing the preparations for the elections, which are scheduled to be held in October, all sides are aware that the commission’s procedures, despite their legality, are no longer binding as long as everyone can act outside the law if they wanted. In fact, the withdrawals of al-Sadr and other parties and forces all took place after the deadline set in the electoral law.
Meanwhile, based on the map of sectarian and political distribution, no major Kurdish or Sunni political forces have announced their withdrawal from the electoral race, while the problem lies within the Shiite forces whose various currents are competing with each other.
Al-Sadr’s retreat provided these forces with an opportunity to reach out to the movement’s supporters, whose votes might be scattered and distributed among a number of other Shiite currents.
In this context, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s position seems difficult in terms of how to find an approach between all parties in order to secure the holding of the elections, which will be preceded by the Iraqi Neighborhood Summit, in addition to the National Dialogue Conference, which will bring together all political forces around one table to address outstanding crises.
Al-Kadhimi, who had succeeded in setting the date of the elections and prepared all the requirements for their success, now wants the scene to be completed through the participation of all sides, including the Sadrist movement.
While the internal crises continue, the government has achieved important external successes represented in opening up to the Arab and regional environments as well as the international community.
An Israeli military vehicle covered with netting to protect against FPV drones patrols on the Lebanese side of the border, as seen from an undisclosed location along the border, 13 July 2026. (EPA)
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New Round of Lebanon-Israel Talks to Begin on Tuesday
An Israeli military vehicle covered with netting to protect against FPV drones patrols on the Lebanese side of the border, as seen from an undisclosed location along the border, 13 July 2026. (EPA)
The sixth round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are to begin on Tuesday in Rome, a Lebanese official told AFP on Monday.
The two-day talks will begin at 10.00am (0800 GMT), the official said, requesting anonymity.
An Italian foreign ministry spokesperson had earlier said the talks would be held on July 15 and 16, and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had confirmed on July 7 that the negotiations would resume "next week".
The two countries, which have no formal relations, began direct talks in April after Tehran-backed Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war by attacking Israel in support of Iran the month prior.
They recently reached a framework agreement that calls for Hezbollah's disarmament and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory while Lebanon's army deploys into "pilot zones".
But the agreement -- rejected by Hezbollah -- does not set a timetable for Israel's withdrawal, and Israeli officials have also vowed that their forces will remain in a "security zone" 10 kilometers (six miles) deep along the frontier for as long as Hezbollah remains armed.
A US military delegation met with Lebanon's army in Beirut last week to discuss the implementation of Israel's withdrawal from a first pilot zone.
Yemen Signals Military Action and Diplomatic Move Against Iranhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5295491-yemen-signals-military-action-and-diplomatic-move-against-iran
Yemen Signals Military Action and Diplomatic Move Against Iran
A widely circulated image of an Iranian aircraft at Sanaa Airport (X)
The Yemeni government has escalated its confrontation with Iran over the operation of a flight to Sanaa International Airport, which is under Houthi control. For the first time, it has signaled military options in response to any future violations of Yemeni airspace, while President of the Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi is leading a diplomatic effort with the permanent members of the UN Security Council ahead of the emergency session requested by the government to discuss what it describes as a violation of Yemen's sovereignty.
Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Taher Al-Aqili announced that the armed forces would respond to any aircraft he described as "hostile" that violates Yemeni airspace "using all available means." He said the government had exhausted legal and diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran and the Houthi group not to operate flights outside the approved framework, but that the latest flight represented what he called "a challenge to international legitimacy."
In a statement addressed to the armed forces and the Yemeni people, Al-Aqili said the government, in cooperation with the regional and international communities, had made every legal and diplomatic effort to deter Tehran and the Houthi group from violating Yemeni airspace. He argued that the latest incident differs from previous ones because it constitutes a direct challenge to international legitimacy.
He added that "patience has run out" and that the armed forces "will deliver an appropriate response to this brutal act and confront hostile aircraft violating Yemeni airspace and sovereignty using all available means until we teach the enemy a lesson." He held the Iranian regime legally and morally responsible for any escalation that may occur in the coming period.
This military escalation comes alongside intensified political efforts led by Presidential Leadership Council President Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, who on Sunday held separate meetings with Zhao Zheng, chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Yemen, and Yevgeny Kudrov, Russia's ambassador to Yemen, as part of the government's consultations with the permanent members of the UN Security Council ahead of the emergency session scheduled for Monday.
Al-Alimi meeting with Russia's ambassador to Yemen (Saba)
Diplomatic Effort
According to the Yemeni presidency, Al-Alimi's discussions with the Chinese and Russian officials focused on bilateral relations as well as developments related to the Iranian flight to Sanaa Airport and what the Yemeni government considers a violation of its sovereign authority.
Al-Alimi stressed that the Yemeni government alone is the legally authorized body to grant permits for operating international flights to Yemeni territory. He emphasized that no armed group, regardless of the territory it controls, has the right to exercise sovereign powers or establish foreign relations on behalf of the state.
Al-Alimi also reaffirmed Yemen's firm commitment to the "One China" principle and its rejection of any actions that undermine China's territorial integrity or sovereignty. He expressed his government's appreciation for China's continued support for Yemen's unity and territorial integrity.
In his meeting with the Russian ambassador, Al-Alimi praised the historic ties between the two countries and Russia's role in helping build Yemen's state institutions. He stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen the partnership between the two sides.
A Houthi delegation arrives in Tehran aboard an aircraft that violated Yemeni airspace (X)
A National Alternative for Flights
Al-Alimi explained to the Russian officials that the government does not oppose the operation of Sanaa Airport for civilian purposes, but rejects its use for activities that violate legal frameworks or for military purposes.
He noted that the government had proposed an initiative to continue flights through Yemenia Airways to any destination agreed upon, while providing the necessary guarantees to ensure the safety of the flights and air crews. The proposal also includes the option of chartering an aircraft to transport members of the Houthi group from Tehran in accordance with legal procedures.
He argued that the rejection of this initiative showed that the issue was not humanitarian in nature, as the Houthi group claims, but rather an attempt to replace the national carrier with Iranian flights, which, he said, no responsible government could accept.
Al-Alimi emphasized that managing Yemen's airspace and approving international flights are exclusive sovereign responsibilities of the Yemeni state. He warned that any violation of this principle would not affect Yemen alone, but would set a precedent that armed groups in other parts of the world could exploit to exercise sovereign functions and establish international relations outside the framework of internationally recognized states.
Al-Alimi concluded his meetings by reaffirming his country's commitment to maintaining balanced relations with all countries. He expressed hope for an international position consistent with the principles of the United Nations that protects state sovereignty and prevents any attempts to undermine legitimate state institutions.
Yemen Leader Says Will Not Expand Confrontation after Airport Attackhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5295482-yemen-leader-says-will-not-expand-confrontation-after-airport-attack
Yemen Leader Says Will Not Expand Confrontation after Airport Attack
Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, during the meeting (Saba)
The leader of Yemen's internationally recognised governing council said on Monday that he would not expand his confrontation with the Houthis after his forces hit Sanaa airport to prevent an Iranian plane carrying Houthi delegation from landing.
"I have also ordered that the scope of the confrontation not be expanded in a manner that would achieve Iran's objective of dragging Yemen and its people into wars," said Rashad al-Alimi, who heads the eight-member Presidential Leadership Council.
Al-Alimi also said he had called an emergency meeting of the PLC following the flare-up.
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